The VFL Cats will welcome back Billie Smedts, Dawson Simpson and Tom Read for this week’s crucial clash with the Coburg Lions.
Smedts (collarbone) and Simpson (shoulder) will return after extended stints on the sidelines and rookie Read (managed) will return after missing last week.
All three will be welcome additions to a depleted Cats side who snatched victory over the North Ballarat Roosters last weekend.
Padraig Lucey will be managed this week and will miss Saturday’s game and George Horlin-Smith will also miss the match as he recovers from a knee injury. The club will take a conservative approach with the midfielder as he recovers from a hyper-extended knee injury suffered in round 8. Horlin-Smith will now look towards a return after the VFL mid-season bye.
Sandy Robinson has been named to play his first game for the Cats this week. Recruited from Port Melbourne over the off season, Robinson has battled back issues throughout the first half of 2015 but has returned to footy in recent weeks, playing for his GFL club Newtown & Chilwell.
VFL listed player Tom Maas will play his 50th VFL game for the Cats this week. Maas, a product of GFL club South Barwon began playing with the Geelong VFL in 2010.
The VFL Cats currently sit 10th on the VFL ladder with 3 wins and 5 losses and Coburg 11th, equal with the Cats on 3 wins and 5 losses.
Last time they met was round 10, 2014 when the Cats 20.15.135 defeated the Lions 10.8.58 at Piranha Park, Coburg. Head to head the sides have met 21 times with the Cats snaring 15 victories and the Lions 6.
The VFL selected squad of 31 will be reduced to 23 on Saturday.
B: Tom Ruggles, Fraser Fort, Jed Bews
HB: Ben Raidme, Jack Hollmer, Jarrad Jansen
C: Nakia Cockatoo, Sam Blease, Jackson Thurlow
HF: Michael Luxford, Simon Close, James Linton
F: Zac Bates, Shane Kersten, Daniel Gibbs
R: Dawson Simpson, Kieran Paliouras, Billie Smedts
I/C: Matt Farrelly, Mitch Herbison, Tom Atkins, Zak Sherman, Daniel Measures, Tom Read, Brenton Rees, Paul Burchell (23rd player), Sandy Robinson, Jackson Sheringham, Cameron Tudor, Dane McFarlane, Tom Maas
VFL Round 10
Coburg Lions vs Geelong Cats
2.00pm, Saturday 20th June
Piranha Park (Coburg City Oval, 90 Bell Street, Coburg)
Follow @GeelongVFL on twitter for live updates.
VFL Admission Prices
Cats members $5
Adults $10
Concession $5
Children under 15 FREE
